Indian Media Abu Dhabi will hand over its first completed house to an expatriate family on 16 January at Perumattoor in Thiruvananthapuram district, organisers have announced. The project, carried out in partnership with VPS Health, marks the launch of a larger housing scheme aimed at securing homes for expatriates who spent decades working in the Gulf.
Indian Media Abu Dhabi housing scheme secures first home for Kerala expatriate
Officials said the home will be formally presented in the evening of 16 January at a ceremony expected to draw representatives, community leaders and political figures. The project is being implemented by the Indian Media Abu Dhabi collective, which represents media professionals from the community in the UAE.
Those involved in the scheme stress that the initiative responds to the long-standing aspiration of many Gulf expatriates to return to their native districts with the security of a permanent house. The first beneficiary, a family with lengthy Gulf service, will receive a newly built house constructed by Swadeshi builder Mehboob Shamsudeen.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, President Sameer Kallar confirmed that the house would be ready within three months and that the handover ceremony on 16 January will mark the start of phased allotments. General Secretary Rashid Poomadam, Treasurer Shijina Kannandas, Vice President Razak Orumanayur and Joint Secretary Nisaamudheen were among the officials who outlined the scheme and its criteria.
VPS Health has joined as a key partner to support the welfare and logistical needs of the programme. Organisers say the scheme will combine social and economic assessment to prioritise those most in need and to ensure transparency in allotment. The project aims to provide a safe residence and greater stability for families returning after years of service abroad.
Project organisers emphasised that the scheme is rooted in community service and long-term planning. The housing plan was conceived after consultations with Gulf expatriates who expressed concerns about housing security and reintegration into home communities. The first phase prioritised families who had spent decades working overseas and who lacked stable housing on return.
Community leaders noted that the initiative seeks to demonstrate how expatriate organisations can mobilise resources for social impact. The handover ceremony in Perumattoor is expected to showcase the collaborative effort between the Indian community in Abu Dhabi and local stakeholders in Kerala.
Organisers said future phases will continue to identify eligible families and complete construction within projected timelines. By providing long-term homes, the scheme aims to reduce uncertainty for former expatriates and strengthen social ties between the diaspora and their home communities in Kerala.
The handover on 16 January will be a milestone for the programme and a concrete example of diaspora-led welfare projects that address practical needs of returning migrants.
Key Takeaways:
- Indian Media Abu Dhabi housing scheme hands over its first completed house to an expatriate family on 16 January in Perumattoor, Thiruvananthapuram.
- The project, run with VPS Health, aims to provide secure, affordable homes to long-serving Gulf expatriates and will complete the initial houses within three months.
- Local leaders and organisation officials including President Sameer Kallar announced the handover; Swadeshi builder Mehboob Shamsudeen constructed the first home.
- The initiative highlights community-focused welfare by the Indian expatriate community in Abu Dhabi.
